Issues in Design and Publication – Study Period 5

This semester, I enrolled into Issues in Design and Publication. Did know what to expect for it. On my first day, I was nervous and not sure what to expect from this class. Then I met our tutor Annie Treadwell. Half an hour into the class I finally figured that this do a lot of discussion Which I was fine with.

Straight to week 4, and we were already presenting our first assignment. I was nervous. Although it was only like 5 minutes. While doing that assignment, I learnt a lot about design and layout.

I did not know, placing photos and words strategically could guide a reader’s eye to about that topic. I found it very interesting that we were discussing issues from all over the world. There was just one time when we started talking about Jehovah Witnesses going around houses and how much all of us hated them, not for them spreading their teaching, but because they were coming on Sunday mornings when it our day off.

On out last assignment, Emily’s post was interesting but frustrating, because I couldn’t understand her English too well, but it was fun seeing her trying to teach people how to etiquette is important to everyone life.

I thought our presentation was really good. Some of them blew my mind with the amount of effort and artifacts they were showing were amazing.

Overall I the class was really good. I looked forward to going to the class every Monday morning. Annie’s a great tutor and she’s always there to check up on you or if you need help.

Qantas Strike

The 2011 Qantas industrial dispute are ongoing series of dispute between Qantas and a number of trade unions. The dispute began at the start of 2011 when workers holding meeting about wages issues and job security.

A bit of a background on the situation, In May 2011, Qantas and the TWU (Transport workers union) went into industrial bargaining, the TWU demanded the airline guarantee better working conditions and better wages. In the months leading up to the lock out, the meeting cost the airline $68 million.

At a press conference on 29^th October 2011, Alan Joyce (CEO of Qantas Airways) announces the grounding of all Australian domestic and International Qantas flights. The lock out of the Airlines staff began at 8 p.m. on 31^st of October.

Following the sudden announcement, all Qantas aircraft already on the ground were grounded. All passengers who had boarded aircraft were instructed to get off the plane and collect their baggage. The lockout affected almost 80,000 passengers in their first day. It cost the $20 million on the first day of cancellation.

It all came to and end pretty quickly though, amid fears that it would cost the Australian economy with the tourism and mining sectors. Fair work Australia made a full decision in favor of Qantas, that all industrial actions taken by Qantas to be terminated immediately.

A lot to look at for Qantas to take care of their workers, clearly they are not happy to work at Qantas and some already know that their jobs are at risk, when it was announced in August that 1000 jobs will be lost.

Queen visit to Australia

The Queen of England visited Australia, on the 19^th till the 29^th of October. Visiting Canberra, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. Her first day at Australia was at Canberra, the capital of Australia. Her first sight seeing was to go look at the kangaroos with the hope that the bouncy animals would approach them.

After that they were joined by the Duke of Edinburgh to plant a pair of swamp white oak trees to commemorate their visit.

Earlier during the day, thousands of Australian lined up in the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin as the Queen stepped out in Lavender for her first full day of engagement on tour with her husband, Prince Philip.

The royal couple was more than happy to show their gratitude to the people who were waiting to see them that was stretched for over a kilometer.

In the morning though, The Queen was presented Governor General at Yaramulla.

Her next trip is to be at Brisbane, and it will sure be a huge turnout there as well.

Steve Jobs

On October 5^th 2011 just after the new IPhone 4s was unveiled, it was announced that Steve Jobs had passed away. A true hero in todays generation, he fought cancer for nine years and could have easily saved his life if he decided to have a life saving operation 9 years ago.

The legacy that he left behind for Apple computers is huge. He introduces us to the Ipod, Iphone, and the Ipad. Now these little gadgets play a huge part in peoples life.

Steve Jobs was well known for his management skills and presentation skills. If you haven’t watched any of his products launches, then go youtube.com and watch it now.

Steve Jobs is worth around $7 billion and that made him the 42^nd richest man in America. In 1997 after his return to Apple, he introduced the ad, “Think Different” Since then the company has taken responsibility upon themselves to improving digital appliances.

It was a sad day for many people, especially for tech fans. What he left us is a world of many opportunities, and people should look up to him because his way of thinking and approach to life was one of the best out there.

Muamar Gadafi

The tyrant, Muamar Gaddafi finally passed away on September 20 2011, after more than 40 years in charge. Massive crowds flocked the capital of Libya, celebrating the death of President Gaddafi.

Gaddafi was killed at Sirte, his hometown. He got shot in the head and in the body and was dragged about 5km behind a pick up truck. It was reported that a teenager was the one who struck the bullet in Gaddafis head.

Both leaders of England and America hailed it a “Momentous day” for the African nation. Obama said “Todays event prove once again that the rule of iron fist inevitably comes to an end”. A big day for Libya and its people.

After more that 6 months to get the nation to come together and bring the tyrant down, Gaddafi’s final words were “What are you doing is wrong… do you know right from wrong?”

Libya’s new National Transitional Council can set about bringing democracy and rule to the war-torn country. A big day for Libya, now it is up to the people to pick up the damaged pieces and bring the country back to what was once a country that had strong economical and political values.